Improvement in railway-signals



3 SheetsSheet 1.

G. E. HANSGOM.

Railway-Signal. v

No. 209;042. Patented Oct. 15, 1878.

NPEIERS, PHOTO-LITHOGMPHER, WASHINGTON. D, C.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2. O. E. HANSGOM. Railway-Signal.

No. 209,042. V Patented Oct. 15,1878.

IIIIIIIIII-I I I II I I a IIIIIIIIIIIIIII I I I I I I N. FFIERS.PHDTO-IJTHOGRAPHER. WAS'IINGTON. D. C

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

C. E. HANSOOMf Railway-Signal. No. 209,042. Patented Oct. 15,1878.

grim/NM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. I-IANSOOM, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNEASSIGNMENT, TO JENNIE II. HANSOOM, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN RAILWAY-SIGNALS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 209,042, dated October15, 1878; application iiled April 4, 1878.

'To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES E. HANSCOM, of the city, county, and Stateof New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSignaling and other Apparatus, of which the following is aspecification:

These improvements relate-particularly to signaling apparatus for use-inconnection wit-l railways.

One important object of them is to provide for operating such signalseithermechanically or electrically, in order to increase the reliabilityof signaling under all circumstances, to reduce the labor therebyinvolved, and economize electricity.

I employ a signal-operating instrument in which are comprised a motorfor shifting the signal, devices for controlling the operation of themotor either through mechanical force or the agency of electricity, anddevices for effecting the winding of the motor by means of passingtrains.

I employ what I term a relay or relief mechanism, through which themechanical force for controlling the motor of the signal--ing-instrument is transmitted, and by which, in case of any accidentaltendency to operate the signal in opposite directions at the same time,relief will be afforded, the breakage of parts obviated, and the signalmade to indicate danger until the cause of such accident is removed.

I employ what I term a combined trackinstrument and circuit-closer,serving to utilize mechanical force from the passing trains for thepurpose of controlling the motor of the signal-instrument or to close anelectric circuit, so as to control such motor by electricity.

Various other features of importance are included in my invention, andwill be hereinafter explained.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side view of what I term thesignal-instrument of myimproved apparatus. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof. Fi3 is afront view ofthe same, including a side view of what I term relayor relief mechanism. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of thesignal-instrument on the line no a, Fig. 1. (Fi 5 is a face view of acam employed to operate the signal. Fig.6 is a rear view thereof. Fig. 7is a horizontal section illustrative of m ans for operating a latch ormechanical devices for controlling it, and sub- I sequently I willexplain the electrical devices used for that purpose.

A designates two side frames, erected on a platform, B, made of materialwhich is a nonconductor of electricity, and united by crossbars orstretchers A. v

O designates a drum, around which is wound a cord, 0, suspending aweight, G on the descent of which motion is imparted to it. Motion istransmitted from this drum through a train of gear-wheels, G O G G, tothe signal-actuating shaft 0 a pawl, a, and ratchet b being employed toconnect the drum with said gear-wheels to provide for winding the drumwithout disturbing the wheels. In lieu of the weight and cord, I ofcourse could use a convolute spring for operating the motor.

D designates the rod whereby the signal is supported. It is pivoted to abracket, 0, ex-

tending from one of the side frames A, and is shown as fitting inquadrant-shaped guides, permitting its movement into either a verticalor horizontal position, On theadjacent portion of the signal-actuatingshaft 0 there is a wheel, E, carrying on the outer side a cam, E,

which engages with a stud on the signal-rod I), and when rotatedactuates the latter. The rotation of this cam is controlled throughdevices which are operated from the track of the railway; 'hence it onlyactuates the signal when caused to do so by a passing train, and v atother times the motor is stationary.

The device which I have represented for controlling the operation of thecam consists of a. latch or stop bar, F, which is supported loosely inthe side frame A which is farthest from the cam, and passes throughavertical slot in the other side frame, an arm, F, fitting on a stud orpin, being employed to keep it from turning. The bar F is capable oflongitudinal movement, and also of a vertical movement at the endnearest the wheel E.

On the inner side of the wheel E are latches,

composed of inclined portions (1 and notches w. A spring, F forces thelatch or stop bar F out toward the wheel E, and when, during therotation of the latter, one of the latches d c arrives opposite the endof the latch or stop bar, its inclined portion cl catches up theadjacent end of said bar, and allows it to drop into the notch c,whereupon the bar latches or stops the wheel E from rotating, and holdsthe signal-rod stationary. One ofthese latches d e is for holding thesignal in position to indicate dangerfor instance, in a horizontalposition; and the other is for holding it in position to indicate safetyfor instance, depressed in a vertical position. The signal is releasedby moving the latch-bar longitudinally, so as to draw its end out of thenotch c of the latch d c and allow it to drop or plunge downward, ifpreferable, with the aid of a spring, S, in position to engage with thenext latch.

In order to effectually avoid any possible accident from a failure ofthe latch or stop bar to engage with either of the latches, I mayarrange on the wheel E, in advance of either or' both of them, a tappetor stop, s, consisting of an elbow-shaped projection, having its outerlimb ehamfered orbeveled transversely, so that in the event of itscontact with an upwardlyprojecting part, f, of the latch or stop bar, itwill tend to wedge or force the bar toward the wheel E, in order toengage with the latches, and, failing to accomplish this, will stop thesaid wheel and lock the signal until the cause of the obstruction isremoved.

I provide for operating the latch or stop bar and controlling the signalby mechanical means or electricity. I will first describe the former.

On the end of the latch or stop bar farthest from the wheel E is a yokeor cross-head, Gr, having on the inner side and near the ends V- shapedprojections g, as shown clearly in Fig. 7. G designates two levers (seeFig. 1) suspended from the adjacent side frame A, so that they have atendency to hang apart, so that when either is adjusted into a verticalposition it abuts against the other and forces it aside. The lower endportions of these levers are V- shaped 011 the outer side, and wheneither is swung or adjusted into a vertical position it wedges past theadjacent V-shaped portion g of the cross-head G, and thereby forces thelatter and the latch or stop bar F outward, the other lever, G aside,and, on passing the said portion g, allows the crosshead, with the latchor stop bar, to return inward, and is itself retained in a verticalposition. I have shown the levers G as operated by tappets'or carriers Gprojecting from rods G", capable of a vertical movement, so that on theoperation of the latter, one at a time, they will severally be swung orshifted into vertical positions. If the tappets or carriers are made toembrace the edges of the adjacent side frame A, they may be guidedproperly in their movements. The rods G are caused to rise by springsG4, or their equivalents, after being forced downward, and as the leversG after their adjustment, are held stationary, they offer no resistanceto the return of the rods. It will be seen that these rods control thesignal. They are drawn downward by devices which are actuated throughthe passage of passing trains, and which will presently be described.

In order to obviate the labor of winding the motor of thesignal-instrument, I provide for winding it by passing trains. The meansemployed to accomplish this Iwill now describe.

H designates a mutilated ratchetwheel, mounted on the shaft of the drumU--that is, a ratchet-wheel a portion of whose periphery is destitute ofteeth.

H designates a pawl adapted to engage with the mutilated ratchet, andpivoted to a slide, H capable of vertical movement, and preferablybalanced by a spring arranged behind it, and exerting friction upon itsguides or bearings. 11 designates a, lever, pivoted at one end to one ofthe side frames A, and connected to one of the rods G so as to bevibrated or oscillated on the depression and rising of the same.

H designates alink connected to an arm extending from the pawl H beyondits pivot, and to the lever H This link, preferably, guided so as tohave a lateral as well as a longitudinal movement. This may beaccomplished by providing it with an inclined slot fitting on a pinprojecting from the slide H", and such pin may also serve as a stop forlimiting the throw of the pawl. On the descent of the lever H the pawlis caused to engage with the mutilated ratchet-wheel B, and turn orrotate the latter, causing the drum 0 to wind up the cord and elevatethe weight, or effect the winding of the spring employed in lieuthereof. In rising the lever causes the pawl to move away from theratchet-wheel; hence the pawl is positive in its action.

By mutilating the ratchet H, I obviate any breakage or straining of themotor by undue winding, for when the plain portion of its peripheryarrives in juxtaposition to the pawl the latter is powerless to continuewinding up the cord or spring.

It is obvious that a series of pawls could be operated by a single linkof the kind just described for the purpose of imparting intermittentmotion to a series of wheels and continuous motion to a shaft driven bysuch wheels,

and that this feature of my invention is susceptiblc of variousapplications.

I will now proceed to describe the means for controlling the signalthrough electricity.

I designates an electro-magnet mounted on the non-conducting platform B,and I desig nates an armature actuated by the same, and furnished withan arm, I, having a bifurcated upper end, which engages with a pin orprojection on the latch or stop bar F, so that on the descent of thearmature the latch or stop bar is forced, away from the wheelE,disengaged from either latch (I. e, and caused to release thesignal-actuatin g cam, so that the motor may revolve it.

J designates a rock-shaft, supported in suitable bearings above theplatform B, and connected electrically bymetal or otherwise with themagnet I. J J J designate metallic cross-bars mounted upon therock-shaft J, one or more being insulated from the remainder. Oppositethe extreme ends of these cross-bars there are arranged upon theplatform B metal plates or tables J 4 J connected with bindingposts J 6J wherein wires for conducting electricity are to be fastened.

The cross-bars J 1 J 2 J 3 are intended to operate so as to successivelycome in contact with the plates or tables J J one having a lead over theothers. Theymay be made flexible,and one or more set nearer to thecenter of the rock-shaft to accomplish this; or the rock-shaft may bemade in sections, as shown in the drawing, and operated independently ofeach other for this purpose.

K designates flexible levers extending from the sections of therock-shaft J, and fastened thereto by insulated connections. They engagewith a disk or cam, K, arranged obliquely on the signal-actuating shaft0 whereby they are vibrated to and fro and the rock-shaft operated.

When the rock-shaft is not made in sect-ions, one lever may besufficient for operating it.

An electric circuit from the battery is established through theelectro-magnet, thence to the rock-shaft J, and, by the motion of thelatter, is communicated through the bar J which is in electriccommunication therewith, to one of the plates or tables J J 5 andbinding-posts J J, and to the circuit-closer attachment of a combinedtrack-instrument and circuit-closer, which is-operated by passingtrains.

In the present instance, when the rock-shaft J is vibrated so as tobring the bar J into contact with its table or platform J an electriccircuit is established to the circuit-closer attachment of a combinedtrack-instrument and circuit-closer, which is operated by passingtrains, completes the circuit, and effects the operation of the signalto indicate danger, and when the motor, in its operation, vibrates therockshaft J so as to bring the cross-bar J l in contact with its tableor platform J an electrical current is established to the circuit-closerattachment of a combined track-instrument and circuit-closer, which isarranged in advance or beyond the signal-instrument, to effect, on thepassage of trains, the adjustment of the signal to indicate safety. Thecross-barJ operates similarly on another circuit to efi'ect the ringingof a bell, and the cross-bar J 3 to control another instrument. The saidbars have the lead described, so as to obviate any confusion which mightoccur from their operating together.

It will be seen that this rock-shaft, with its cross-bars, forms anelectrical-circuit regulator actuated by the motor of thesignal-instrument, and that it enables one current of electricity to bediverted or tapped for several purposes, and hence economizeselectricity.

I will now proceed to describe what I have termed the relay or reliefmechanism. It is preferably .arranged beneath the signal-instrument, asshown in Fig. 3 5 and consists, essentially, of two rock-shafts, L L,provided with arms 5 z". The rock-shaft L is connected to the rod G ofthe signal-instrument, which effects the setting of the signal at dangerand such rock-shaft is provided with a toe, j, which is operated upon bya tappet, k, carried by a rod, L which is moved in one direction by thecombined track-instrument and circuit-closer, arranged in proximity toit, and in the other by a weight or a spring, L A train, in passing,will set the signal at danger and leave it there.

, The tappet 7c is rounded on one side, and as the rod L is moved backinto position to reengage with the toe j it moves the rock-shaft Llongitudinally, so that it can pass the toe, and hence it does not,during its return movement, interfere with the shaft G to which-it isconnected.

The rock-shaft L is connected to the rod G of the signal-instrument,which effects thesetting of the signal at safety. It is provided with atoe, j, which is operated upon by a tappet, 7c, carried by a rod, L,which is moved in one direction by a combined instrument andcircuit-closer arranged in advance or forward of the signal-instrument,and in the other direction by a spring, L The tappet k. is rounded onone side, and as the rod L is moved back into position to re-engage withthe toe 9" it moves the rock-shaft L longitudinally, so that it can passthe said toe in its return movement without interfering with the shaft Gof the signal-instrument, with which it is connected. intended to beoperated by a combined trackinstrument and circuit-closer arranged somedistance in advance or forward of the signal mechanism and relay orrelief instrument, so that the signal will not beset at safety by thepassage of a train until it shall have passed far enough to render itsafe to permit another to follow it.

L designates a lever supported on a fulcrum-post between the rods L L,so that it can be vibrated or shifted horizontally. One end of the leverengages with a stud or crosspin, 1, on the shaft L, and the otherprojects up into the plane of a tappet, m, carried by the rod L hence ifthelattershould be moved forward at the same time as the rod L it wouldmove the rock-shaft L longitudinally and throw its toe j out of the wayof the tappet 7i, whereupon the signal will not be oper- This rock-shaftL is ated, and will continue to indicate danger, besides which the partsof the apparatus are relieved, so as to obviate breakage. Both therock-shafts L L are returned to their normal positions by weights orsprings n, and preferably the rods L L are provided with steadybars 0,engaging with the guides on the basepiece of the relay or reliefmechanism to preclude said rods from turning.

I will now proceed to describe one of the combined track-instruments andcircuit-closers which I have hereinabove referred to. It consists of twoside frames, M, connectedby a cross-bar or stretcher, M. N designates ashaft, supported in the side frames, and provided with a track tappet,lever, or arm, N, projecting up into proximity with one track of therailway, and preferably having an inclined upper face and a pin or stud,r, extending under the track, so that on the passage of a train over thetrack the vibration thereof, acting on the stud, will depress the leveror arm N, and subsequently the wheels passing over its inclined facedepress it still farther and rock the shaft N, on which itis arranged. Odesignates an arm or lever mounted on the rock-shaft N, and extending inthe direction opposite to the lever N. It is connected at the outer endby a link, 0, to an arm or lever, 0 mounted on arock-shaft, 0 providedat the outer end with arms I? P for operating relay or relief mechanismand signal-instru ments. If desirable, additional arms may be fastenedto the arms P P to increase the length thereof. The arm P is intended tobe connected, by a wire or otherwise, with the rod L of a relay orrelief instrument, etl'ectin g the setting of the signalat safety andthe arm P is connected with the rod L of another relay or reliefinstrument, efleeting the setting of an advance or forward signal atdanger, but, of course, my combined track-instrument and circuit-closermay be used for only one signalinstrument. Arranged upon the combinedtrack instrument and circuit-closer-tbr instance, on the upperportion-are contactpoints Q Q, one of which is connected by a 'wire withthe binding-post J 6 or J 7 of the rockshaft cross-bar J according towhich of the circuits the track-instrument is to work on, and the otherof which is connected to a return wire or loop. WVhen free thesecontactpoints spread apart by their elasticity, so as to be out ofelectrical communication with each other. R designates a lever, pivotedin the side frames M, bearing at one end against the arm and provided atthe other with an insulated push-piece, p, which, upon the rising of thearm 0 descends and forces the contactpoints together, so as to close thecircuit.

It will be seen that by my invention I have produced a signalingapparatus which may be operated either by 1n echanicalforce or throughthe agency of electricity, and provides for setting a signal at dangermechanically or by electricity, at pleasure, as well as for setting itat danger mechanically and at safety by electricity, or vice versa.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A signaling-instrument comprising an adjustable signal, a motor foradjusting such signal, rotary latches driven by said motor, a latch orstop bar for engaging with said latches, pendent levers with V-shapedwedge-like portions. and an elect-ro-magnet adapted to operate saidlatch or stop bar, whereby the opera tion of the signal may becontrolled by mechanical or electrical force, substantially asspecified.

2. The] combination, with a pivoted signalrod, of a rotary grooved camand a stud on said rod engaging therewith, substantially as specified,whereby the signal is always controlledfin its movements and is notliable to displacement.

3. A signaling-instrument comprising the combination, with a motorhaving a wheel provided with latches, of a latch or stop bar adapted toengage with said latches to retain the signal in its differentpositions,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. A signaling-instrument comprising the combinatiomwith a motor havinga wheel pro vided with latches consisting of inclines and notches, of alatch or stop bar impelled longitudinally toward said wheel, and capableof a vertical or tilting movement as well as a longitudinal movement'toeffect its engagement with and disengagement from said wheel,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

5. In a signaling-instrument, the combination, with a wheel providedwith latches and a latch or stop bar susceptible of a longitudinalmovement to engage with such notches, of a safety-piece adapted, oncontact with a portion of said bar, to assist its forward move ment, or,failing'to do this, to lock the lllStllb ment, substantially as and forthe purpose specified.

6. In a signaling-instrument, the combination, 'with a wheel providedwith latches and a latch or stop bar for engaging therewith, of

a yoke or cross-head provided with V-shaped portions, and pendent leversprovided with V- shaped portions capable, upon being vibrated,

of displacing the yoke or cross-head and imparting longitudinal movementto the latch or stop bar, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

7. In a signaling-instrument comprising a wheel provided with latchesand a latch or stop-bar provided with a yoke or cross-head, thecombination, with such yoke or cross-head, of pendent'levers adapted tomove said latch or stop bar longitudinally as well as to dis .place eachother, and means for operating said levers, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

8. In a signaling-instrument, the combination of the wheel E, latches da, latch or stop bar F, yoke or cross-head G, levers G tap )ets orcarriers Gr rods G and s )rin s G 1 a i l substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

9. The combination, with a ratchet-wheel, of a pawl, a slide to whichsaid pawl is pivoted, a link connecting said pawl with the means foroperating it, an oblique guide, and a stop, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

10. The combination, with the mechanism of 'a motor in asignaling-instrument, whereby with latches and a latch or stop barcapable of a longitudinal movement and of a vertical movement by gravityat one end, and adapted to interlock with the said latches, of anelectro-magnet having an armature provided with an arm engaging withsaid latch or stop bar, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

13. The combination of a signaling-instrument comprising a motor forimparting motion to a signal, an electro-magnetcontrolling the operationof such motor, an electrical circuit, and a vibratory circuit-changerconsisting of a rock-shaft and arms capable of being adjusted intocontact with vdifferent bindingposts, and a lever connected with therockshaft and vibrated by the motor, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

14. The combination, in a signaling-instrument, of relayor reliefmechanism comprising rock-shaftsfor actuating the signal-operatin gdevices, means for operating said rock-shafts, and means for throwingone of said rock-shafts out of operation on the simultaneous operationof the other, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

15. In a signaling-instrument, the combina: tion, with a motor foroperating the signal and means for controlling said motor-by eithermechanical or electrical force, of a track tappet, lever, or arm, alever connected therewith for operating onthe aforesaid motor bymechanical force, and an electrical circuit-olosin g lever actuated bysaid track tappet, lever, or arm for operating on the aforesaid, motorthrough electrical force, substantially as specified.

EDWIN H. BROWN, CHANDLER HALL.

